Coupling and the like



Jan. l5, 1935. J. BIJUR COUPLING AND THE LIKE original Filed oct. 5,1921 .J RWWIMVA. @www m Mm/ m JQ@ BM 5 mm Patented Jan. 15, 1935 UNITEDSTATES PATENT. OFFICEy executor of said JosephBijur, deceased, fasslgnor to Bikor Corporation,` a corporation of Delaware Originalapplication October'. 5, 1921, ScriaLNo.

505,593, now Patent No. 1,682,721, dated August 28, 1928. Divided andthis application August 28, 1928, Serial No. 302,516

37 Claims.

My present invention relates to mechanical couplings for driving oneshaft element from another and with regard to its more specificapplications to couplings of the type by Which'the need for precision inthe alignment of the shafts is eliminated. The .invention Vhasapplication broadlyfor transmitting torque from a power or drivingelement to an vadjacent driven machine or shaft. The embodimentdisclosed, although of broad utility is particularly applicable toautomotive vehicles, as, for instance, in transmitting torque betweenthe engine and accessory machines, such as magnetos, generators andWater pumps.v v

The invention in its preferred application is concerned with the type ofcoupling structure in which each hub is connected to or carries aseparate and distinct yieldable -rne'mber lextending about the axis ofvthecoupling, the two yieldable elements being in turn drivinglyconnected by a more rigid transmissionv member, although certainimportant features of the invention are more broadly applicable to otherstructural types of couplings.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, reliable anddurable coupling, which shall transmit the torque even between poorlyaligned shafts with a minimum of wear upon the associated shaftbearings.

Another object is toV provide a practical coupling ofthe above type ofshortlength, useful in relations where'economy of length. is desirableor required and where the distance between adjacent shaftr endsiscorrespondingly small, and which coupling 'shall yet lend itself readilyto connection betweenshaft ends separated by a greater interval.

Another object is to provide a coupling in which the connecting elementsfor holding the constitul.so ent coupling parts in assembled relationfirmly retain their hold without the likelihood of Wear or looseningeven under severe conditions of use,

so that the yield in the coupling shallbe confined to the elementsintended to yield, avoiding rattling and eliminating a cause of lag andlead of the shafts with respect to each other.

Another object is to provide a coupling of the above type, theconnecting parts of which shall b e simple and easily accessible forfacility in mounting into operative position, and removal, ordisrnounting and without the use of specialized .tools or the exerciseof dexterity.

`Another object is to provide a coupling which shall readily flex forapplication to misaligned shafts without yielding in the drivingdirection,

and which shall yet be so constructed andv arranged that destructivedistortion or ilexure be yond safe limits is avoided.

Another object is to provide a coupling of the above type in which'thefiexible parts shall be easily and quickly removable for replacement,without the exercise of skill or the use of specialized tools.

Another object is to provide a coupling of the above. type in which thefastening means for holding ythe flexible element .in'position shall beso differentiated from those holding the hub units to the transmissionelement, as to avoid theV possibility of confusion When a coupling Aisto be removed'fro-m the shaft or when a flexible element is to bereplaced. Another object is top rovide a coupling of the above .type,the parts of which shall not interfere With. the vertical movement. upor down of the coupled machine, suchas amagneto, in removal orinstallation.l

The present application is a division 'of my application Serial No..505,593, filed October 5th, 1921, which eventuated in Patent #1,682,721granted August 28, 1928.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The above andA other features of my invention may be` more fullyunderstood from the accompanying drawing in which are shown, .One ormore of various possible embodiments of the sev eral` features of theinvention. y Figure 1 is a view in transverse section. through acoupling embodying the invention.

y Figure 2 isa sectional view on the staggered line 2-2lof Figure 1.l f

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3.--3 of Figure v2vshowing the constituent parts separated and alined in proper order forassembly;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

`Figure 51is a detail of the transmission element.

Figures is a plan View on an enlarged scale of a preferred form of wireclamp.- y y Figure? is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7' ofFiguref. Y v

' FigureB isa fragmentary plan of a hub detail.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan of another hub detail.

Figure 10is a view similar to Figure 2 of a furthervmodication. Y

Figure `1 1 is a seotionalview taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 10,showing one of the hubs and the associated ring.

Figure 12 is a view of a fragment of wire stock used for the flexiblecoupling element.

Figure 13 is a view' similar to Figure 6 vof a modified form of clip,and 'v Figure 14 is a section taken along the line- 14-14 of Figure 13.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawing,`

operation, the flange is fastened to the hub both against removal andagainst relative rotation, the upset rim performing the rst function,and the hub metal pressed into the scallops, the second.

, The vl.embodiment shown `comprises a pair of said hub units eachcarrying a flexible ring 38 said rings disposed at opposite 'sides ofaninterposed transmission element including bridging pieces to which therings are secured at points, 90 degrees from or midway between the endsof the flanges.

In the preferred embodiment the ring 38 is of small width and largediameter substantially equal tothe longerdiameter of the flange 2, whichextends outwardly from the hub along one diameter. The flexible ring isof metal, preferably at least as sound at its` edges as between theedges. It may be formed of one or more sheet metal stampings,subsequently cut, filed or otherwise treated at its edges to removetheminute cracks which frequently develop thereat in the stamping process.Preferably, however, the ring is formed from ldrawn steel wire stock,flattened as shown and wound into a coil, a fragment of which isshown inFigure 12. The ring may be made from round drawnwire, flattened bymechanical working, as by rolling or by passing through appropriatediesy and has a width 39 materially greater than its thickness 40 andpreferably a rounded edge 41. The term drawn wire is used for ,want of abetter term to define the property of the material resulting from thedrawing process and, of course, embraces wire of substantially the sameproperties made by other mechanical processes, such as set forth in thepreceding sentence., l l

In the preferred embodiment, each coupling ring is formed by severingtwo complete circumferences 38 from the stock shown in Fig. 12,superposing them Ywith the split ends one over the other and connectingthem against relative slipping by any desired binding elements,alternate forms lof which are shown at 42, 43 and 44 in Figure 2 andwill be fully described below.

Preferably the rings are provided with shallow offset depressions 45 atintervals of a quadrant, which may be formed` in the stock, as shown inFig. 12, for cooperation with fastening elements to'secure the rings-tothe other coupling elements. The superposed rings are disposed with theconcavities of ftheroffsets facing each other as shown at 46 in Figure`'I `and at uniform intervals of a quadrant.

The four4 fastening 4elements or mechanical terminals on each ring areidentical and preferably operateby a gripping action. Each grippingelement comprises a small center plate 47 hav- ,with respect to the hubflange.

positioning the clip with respect to the center plate, the plate hasashort tongue 53 at its radially` innermost edge 49 fitting into acorresponding slot 54 in the adjacent portion of the clip 50.

The construction thus far described is covered by an outer or cover clip55 straddling the outer periphery of the wire, the sides of said outerclip overlapping the offset portions of the Wires and the sides of theinner clip 50. The outer clip, the inner clip and the center plate aremaintained in assembled relation preferably by a pair of rivets 56extending through all those members and located at opposite sides of thespacer tongue, and spaced radially inwardly from the wires. The splitend of each wire is preferably positioned in the center of an offset andthe corresponding clamp units serve to hold said split ends againstseparation. The clamp element thus far described, will firmly grip thewires because of the substantial surface on which clamping pressure isapplied, at the offset portions 45, and also beyond the same as at 52,the shoulders 58 connecting the offsets 45 to the main length of thewires serving also as substantial positive stops against slipping. 'I'hefirm hold of the clamp is secured without perforating ornotching thewires, so that the uniform strength ofthe wire throughout its length ispreserved.

The ring thus far described is secured by two of the wire clamp units tothe ends of the hub flange 2 by means of bolts l extending transverselythrough the various superposed plates and clip elements, preferablymidway between the rivets 56 as shown in Figure 2, and the bolt ends areupset as at 8 over the nuts 9, which are disposed at the outer surfaceof the flanges 2.

To rigidly ,retain the clamp units with respect to the flange, that is,to'prevent any eventual rocking about the bolt as an axis, the rivets 58Athat maintain the clips in assembled relation are preferablyv providedwith relatively thick heads 59 (see Figures 2 and 6) which extend intocorresponding notches 60 in the edges of the hub flanges 2. The bridgesare preferably provided with notches 68 at opposite sides, in which fitthe thickened heads 59 of the rivets of the associated clamp units toprevent rocking of said units about the securing screws 26 in a mannergenerally similar to therelation cf the other pair of clamps It will beseen that the notches 60 and 68 in the flanges and bridges respectivelyfor preventing rocking of the clamp units,'can be formedin the originalblankingout process without need for special machining. l

The transmission unit comprises stamped metal bridging pieces. Each ofthe bridging pieces comprises an inner U or channel-shaped stamping 61and an outer U or channel-shaped stamping 62 straddling the same. Theinner stamping includes a cross-piece 63 having legs 64 doubled over asat 65 and the legs 66 of the outer stamping overlap the doubled-overlegs of the inner stamping, the bases of the channels contacting eachother. The triple thickness of metal fsafme rivets -67-whichsecure thetwoconstituent elements' of the bridge pieces together.Y

ln the preferred v"embcdu-nent.the outer channel Y elements cithe-"bridge pieces have-three pairs of struck-,uplu'gs 70,71 andi72-f'or snuglyconta-cting theeppositeedgesof the band 19,'v therebypreventing shift with respectJ to the jbridging 4pieces and maintam-inglthemA atall times exactly at right 'angles tothe -len'gth oi the band,regardless -of the strain to whichfthe'coupli-ng'is si-ibjected` "Thecentral pair 70 of'fstruckiup zlugscn one of the bridging piecesextendstransversely across the jsplit ends73 ofthe band, preventing anyshifting thereof' and the other pairs of lugsf prevent' any lateralfshifft of theband atA the portions coacting therevg'fith, so that eachend offY the y'band is firmly heldfat two spacedl points, and,therefore, cannot 'change'its angular relation with respect to thevbri-dgingpiecesand visi'irrnly anchored. f To prevent the likelihoodof-sharp bends of the metal ring units 38 adacent the clamps which mightin the 'absence offspecial 'precaution occur, particularly where 'thecoupling is used to ltransmit power between shafts that are inisalinedto a substantial degree, the clamps `arepreferably flared atlthe edges,as shown at 74 by `pounding the"y lateralv edges offthe linner clip.element v50, thereby vguiding the wires for gentle curvature-andipreventing sharp bendswhich might bring Aabout weakeningand'rupture ofthewireawhere they vpass Arapidly through. theirv cyclesof exure operation A x 1 1 2 Preferablyalso'thefcover clip `55ersshownis .-formedzwith a smallercurvatur'e than the wire, 'isc-that itdiverges as `at 75 from the outer periphferypfithe-wire and preferablyalso the center Jplate47 .has oblique .shoulders 76 divergingffromtheinner periphery of thewire, thus providing limiting stopsto preventexcessive'deection of `thewire in' aradial'l direction, .whilepreventing -rubbing 'or friction between the wire and adjacent parts. ofthe clip. when thewire iiexeslengthwise of the` coupling or between. theflares 74 ofthe clip' in 'its rapidly repeated cycles of exure.

Theilexible metal driving rings ibeing vof small widthrelative tov theirperiphery 'and the clamp units carried thereby lof lsmall widthVradially, Zample spacefis'aforded;between the inner-mostedge-oftheopposite clips to readily cleara-*hub fof4 conventionaldimensions, vas appears clearly in 'Figure I: vItwwill thus `be 'seenthat'theiiexible vnietal ring construction caneasily be passed over 1the outer end ofthe hub and can be secured to the outerlface of thevflange 2, thus'providing a particularly Ashort coupling construction, inwhich the thicknessof the two rings `and of ,thel clamp units isnot anadded component of the overall 'length of the coupling; Of course, assuggested in'Figure 3,-where desired,tlgefleiible metal y'ring l unitsmay be secured to the innerk surface of either or both of the flanges. s

The binding means for Yretaining together the Epair of wires,`making upa ringelernent, arepreferably `'in the -form shown at 42 heretofore refband 77 embracing thetwo wires preferably midwznfbetween each'` of thetwo adjacent `cla'rnp units, theends of which are v"fastened by a rivet'lffafs best shown- Figure 4.

v As an alternative embodiment, the binding Imeans-may be termed ofsmall-gauge metal wire as fat 78, wound about the central portion of the`quadrant with its convolutions close vtogether --and havingits-endstwisted together as at 'Z9 and bent radially inwardly to avoid thedanger of cutting. 1

Asanother alternative embodiment, the securing .means `may beasmall-gauge Wire 80, wound Withrlrelatively' high .pitchv about the-tworings,

and extending freely without special securing means for the entirelength yof each quadrant between successive clamps as shown.A

' .It will be understood that one form of fastening means preferably theclip shownat 42, will be employed foreach of the quadrants of the ring..lnzuse, ,ity is found that the coupling is substan- "tiallyunyieldingin the direction of rotation.

This is'ac'counted for by the fact that the clamps firmly grip the ringswithout possibility of slip,

lthat eachclampis firmly retained `against rockiugab'out'thethreadedelement which secures it to the adjoining .coupling element,that each clamp unit 'is lfirmly :secured to the associated 'huborbridging member and will not loosen by wear, that the band .19 of thetransmission ele- Lrnentp'revents displacement of the bridges outlor-"parallelism, Aso that neither hub member can advance 'with respecttoV the other, and that thexring quadrants are of such strength relative"to the forces transmitted that they will/not stretch appreciably undertension. Although thus rig'idf'in the driving direction, the couplingilexes Iwith remarkable. facility in every yother direction.

'tice inthe-relative disposition of `the shafts.

`In operation, therefore, the coupling will transmit-the torqueaccurately Without lag or lead between poorly alineclv shafts, while thelateral pressure upon the bear-ings of the connected shafts will besmall even where the misalinement is substantial,- the lateral pressurecorresponding,

of course', to the small force required 'to deiielct the hubs withrespect to each other in 'the course of application. Thus, by the use of-my coupling the shaftsto be lconnected need .not beldispos'ed with'respect to each other with the ydegree of accuracy required wherecouplings of 4less -ilexibility are employed, effecting correspondingeconomy in skilled labor.

4The iiexible rings, in the embodiment of lFigu res l to 7,' being ofdrawn wire Ihave had no -weakne'sses or cracks developed in their edges.In'L-view of: the continuity of theedges of the drawn wire? the rapidlyrepeated .ileXurev does not `resultin 'any appreciable weakening, where,in the caseof the usual stamped metal driving rings or quadrants, theminute cracks in the edges may devel-cp into tearsv with correspondingneed for "frequent replacement. As distinguished from ordinary/stampedmetal rings or quadrants, the lat `eral ledgesr of which are cut, andtherefore, dif- 'ferent in character and tenacity from the widersurfaces, I'have provided a ring element homoie'rred to'and compriseeach a sheet metal clip genjeous sidewise and edgewisa vand ofsubstantially uniform tenacity. Myinvention embraces -'broad-ly,iiexible coupling elements of homoretiming the magneto.

geneous surface, whether round or flat, solid or hollow, unitary orcomposite and devoid of minute cracks.

The flattened wire construction particularly in view ofy the largediameter affords the desired substantial flexibility in a directionlengthwise of the coupling and substantial stiffness against pdistortion in a radial or edgewise direction, so that the uniforminterval of a quadrant between ksuccessive ,clamps will be maintainedthroughout.

two wire elements of each quadrant together for `convenience inassembly, as heretofore pointed lzout, perform the further function ofretaining a .ruptured wire against lashing about, and thus serve toprevent damage to other parts of the coupling or of adjacent elements,upon wire breakage. .It is, of course, obvious that a circu- .lar wirering. may be employed instead of the `iiattened wire rings, but I preferthe latter for -reasons appearing in the foregoing.

Sincethe coupling does not permit lag or lead of the' driven shaftwithrespect to the driving shaft', it is suitable for driving magnetos..eect proper timing adjustment of the magnetos sothatthe spark will takeplace in correct phase with the engine rotation, one of the hubs ispreferably arranged to be adjustable, as shown in Figure 1. For thispurpose the ange'Z is pro- Vvidedwith a beveled opening 81 fitting overa beveled or conical flange 82 at the end of the hub and held infrictional driving relationtherewith by a nut 83 threaded upon the hubas at 84, and exerting pressure upon the adjacent side of rthe ange 2.

- As best shown in Figures 1 and 9, a lock washer 85 is interposedbetween the flange and the nut. This washer is preferably a simplestamping having tongues 102 and 103 to embrace the edges of the flangeas shown, and having a cirjcular body 104 affording segments as at 105projectingl beyond the sides of nut 83. Preferably the tongues 102, 103are normally slightly bent and will be pressed toward each other by themechanic after application, to snugly embrace the flange, and one of thesegments 105 will be bent vover the adjacent side of the nut as at 105,thereby firmly holding the nut against rotation ,relative to the flange.

To eect shaft adjustment, it is obvious that the nut 83 need merely beloosened, the segment 105 being, of course, first bent toward its planeand the hub with its key can be rotated .through the desired angle withrespect to the .flange 2 and the nut then againv tightened tofrictionally connect the parts and a segment of :Washer 85 preferablyother than that previously usedgis bent over against a side of the nutfor locking. The adjustment means is a simple con- 1 struction involvingonly a conical fit between the hub and the flange, and a simple nut andlocking-washer for tightening the connection. Preferably a mark such asan arrow 107 pointing toward the hub is scratched into the innermostsurface of the flange 2 to assist in reap- .plying or in adjusting acoupling removed for repair or other purposes, without the need for Itwill be obvious that for this purpose the -mechanic before removing thecoupling hub from the magneto shaft will scratch the interior surface ofthe hub as at 36 in alinement with the arrow 107 on the flange,

the large openl Wire ring affording ready access to the inner end of thehub for this purpose...

Automotive accessory machines, and particularly magnetos are frequentlyretained against sliding along the supporting bed by the useof shortdowel pins projecting downwardly thereinto. Where my coupling is usedwith such machines, the removal is particularly easy, for the reasonthat, after ltaking out the two screws 26 holding a flange to thetransmission piece, themachine can be raised verticallysufciently toremove the dowels from the base, 'themetal ring flexing readily to causethe rivet heads 59 to clear the notches in the bridging pieces. v

In Figures 10 and 11 is shown an alternative form of metalv ring hubunit. In this embodiment a single metal ring 87 vis shown in place ofthe double ring and the hub and flange are. shown vformed in a singleforging as at 88. For use of the single wire each clamp is preferablyformed of a single U-shaped sheet metal clip element 89 straddling thering from the exterior periphery, and having an indented or struck-inportion 90 in registry withthe offset 45 of the wire, said roffset beingthereby held Within a corresponding slot 91 in the opposite surface ofthe clip.

In this embodiment, although the clamp unit may be formed of a metalplate and provided with ,a flare as in Figures 6 and '7, I have shown analternative form of spring metal clip. Tangs 92 are bent up from oneside of the sheet metal clip and forced over the other to maintain thetwo sides clamped together against the wire, one pair of diametricallyopposite clips on each ring being secured to the flanges of the hubs bybolts and the other pair of the bridging pieces by screws substantially.as inthe other embodiment. The clamping action of the threaded membersassists in the gripping action of the clips. In the presentembodimentprongs or tangsy 93 are bent up from a side of each clip andextend preferably into `grooves 94 machined into the vsurface oftheflange 2, which grooves may be coaxial with the coupling, thus servingas antirock means to prevent movement of the clips about the bolts as anaxis. bridging piece clips .coact for the same purpose with recesses inthe bridging pieces (not shown) in a manner similar to the coaction ofrivets 59 with recesses 68 in Figure 2.

Both leaves of the clips are formed with integral spring tonguesextending laterally from opposite sides of the gripping portion, as at94 and 95 and along the length of the wire, and preferably vwideat'their bases and tapering to narrow ends,

as shown. These spring tongues will be flexed by the ring as the latteris flexed in transmitting torque between poorly alined shafts. As thetongues are relatively stiff near their bases and more flexible at theirnarrow ends, the wire will be held thereby against appreciable bendingat the Similar tangs on the i,

ringreturns-to the neutral plane Vfrom itsposition ofjmaximum flexure.

Although I prefer `to employ the specific .form of wire clamp elementshown in Figures 6 and 7, will, of course, be .obvious that the springclip ,form of Figures 1.0 and 1l may be substituted in the 'form ofcoupling shown in Figures 1 to 3, also, that .the double wire embodimentof Figures 1 -to 3 maybe substituted in the embodiment of Figures 8 and9.

An alternative form of clip is shown in Figures Y13 and 14,; in whichelongated slots 9.6 are ,cut near theIspli-t .ends and also at the endsof each quadrant of Vthe flexible wire, a spacing plate 97 of athickness equal to the. combined thickness ofthe two flattened wiresbeing placed adjacent the-inner'periphery thereof, clamping plates 98strarldling theopposite surfaces ofthe `Wire one hdi/ing embossments 99pressed thereinto to fit into the openings ,9.6, the whole being claspedby a LJ-.shaped `outer element 10,0l straddli-ng the outer periphery ofthe wires, and held in assembled relation by rivets lolpassingtransyersely through the outer clip, the clamping plate .and the spacingplate.

v.Obyiously many of the details in the Various embodiments set forth,andespecially the ,clamp units, the antierock arrangement, theiiexurelimiting-flare .of Figures 6 .and 7 or the spring metal tongue .ofFigure 10-forrthe same purpose, .and ,the .useof drawn wire quadrants.or rings or the leiliilyalentare broadly applicableseparatelyor ingombination other relations, for instance, ,to pouplingsof the type.embodying asingle eXible ring member connected at spaced intervalsdirectly :to two hubs Iglaving thus .described my invention, what Iclaim lasnew .and Adesire to vsecure ,by Letters APatent is as follows:

, 1. `In a'flexible coupling ,of the type comprising La -pair .of shaftengaging .elements,`,a 1flexible ,driviying member .extending Aabout`the axis .of ,the zcoulpling. and .driving .connections between zsaid.elefments and .said .driving member, 4the.conne-ctions ffonone ofsaidelements .being intermediate` those for the other; the ,drivingmember including 4a Ihat.ilexble .metal ypiece transverse .to vthecoupling axis, said rmetal.piec e .consisting .of Edrawn ,steel:'wirefstock.

.In aflexiblecouplingiof the .typecomprising a p airpf ,.hubs, ,a,drawnsteel dat `wire ring, the fp laneilof ,which is ,transverse tothecoupling axis, said ring being `:substantially coaxial with saidihubs and :driving connections between one of isaid hubs `'and spacedpoints of said ring, :and :other-1 driving. connections between rvtheother .hub zand gpoints `on said ring -midway .-betweensaid Yspaced,points A 3.,In.arexiblecouplingin combination, a ,pair v`.of hubsleaving .outstanding-flanges, .a ring .of ,minnie ,drawn metal wire,wide relative .to ,its

axial thickness, said iring being SubstantiallyK co.-

inline axisgfor transmitting,iheftoroue lorieiiddii easily thereoffromionelof seidhdbs to ,the other.

aendcoriiieetiire ineens between: seid exiblermem- @7.5 nemend.seid-,Tiroirs vfrierenrisirre @motel members having heads .nttine .intoCorresponding .recesses gripping the ends of said arcs and-fasteningmeans for-` attaching said gripping means wthrespect to said hubs. saidfastening 'means extending transversely of and to one 'side ofSSfd'iieXble arcs, said larcs together forming van annulus of 5 diametersubstantially that Af the external diameter .of the coupling.

5.*In a iiexi'ble'coupling, in combination, a iiexilole metal rios ,ofeinen .Width .relative to its diameter, metal clips clampingsaid ring atuniform intervals, said clips having each a portion extending ,radiallyirir/a'rdly from therine, said oortiori servirle for securing the ringin loosiiori .fortorque transmission. f5/.lil .e exileie Coupling, incombination, a metal ring uniform in Vcross-section throughout theentire length thereof andoliio's ,rrrrly'eripl ping .said .ring .etsioeoed intervals, seid ,Clips .iiioludirre portions at'opposite sides.of the ring extendingladially inwardly therefrom and rivets 2&0 or thelike withinthe'inner periphery of the ring for holding said clipportions together.

7. In a flexible coupling; in combination, e ,suo- .cession rof atflexible metallic rarcs positioned side by side, members gripping Vsaidares neer the .ends thereof, hub elements .secured ,to `said `merribersalternately to transmit the torque through said arcs, and means toprevent rocking of said ,members .about .the .securing elements asaxes'.

,8. vIn a exible -c; 3'1J.p,1i-r1g, in combination, a Apair ofIrelatively rigid Alilllli) elements, a flexible metallic ring of smallWidth relative toits `diatrieter Yfor ,transmitting the'torque .from oneo'f said coupling members .to the other, the transmitting eonrieetionswith seid .ring eomprisirleolios sripping said ring at spacedintervalsand secured to .said rigid. members, 'and .enti-,rook Din and vslot-ineans`fcoacting with` said jclips and said rigid ymembers to preventrotation of the former about the securingv means .as an axis.

'9. Ijhe `colnlollation .set forth in claim 8 vin which `the ar 1tirocl: means ,comprises a securing element for the jaws' jof the clipprojecting out- Werdiy'inioooeotioii Wiihje Corresponding .Shoulder 0.oiileedjoinirle .risidriiember 10.111,1 a coupling, in combination, aexible `Cllillig ring, Va coupling elemmf f 0f gleatel .Tigd' 'ity and aconnection therebetween, said ,connec- `iio,1.1.,correrisirie e' die.hernie Jews .gripping `seid terrible ,member and herring .Portions.extending ,beyond Lilie some, "'l'iieis leessirrgfihfoueh Seid portiers.to ,Seoilre .them together, Le threaded 'memberexieiidiiisihroireh..seidportions between said'rivets'rand vinto said'rigidmember, vsaidrivets .55 ,in-seid .rigid member to pl'eventroekinsof .said clip aboutsaid'threaded'member as an axis. .lifeffioxitie eolienne eomieriiing insombere- (iioir eiiesioleiirieieliie ries' ofoiiell iridih'feletiveitsgiiemeter, eoiiplirie membersfof greater oneoooiieoted .io.saidfriris .et diametri- Dosite ...points and ,the other ,connectedwith .respect :thereto .at ,dametrically vopposite upoints lmidwaybetween said rst pair of .dia- *65 =metrically-opposed 4points-ftheconnection means 'r between said .ring -and said members beingsubstantially of the character *l set' forth in claim 10. "-121 In aAliexible coupling, inl` combination, a ring :of glatteneddrawn wire, ofuniform cross- .section.j throu ghout the lengthz thereof, .said ringlengthl of lthe ring will positivelyassist in preventing slippingthereof.

13. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a iiexible element composedof a pair of drawn wire rings, thin edgewise and having a relativelygreater width between their outer and inner peripheries, clips atuniform intervals for gripping the two wires, hubs for transmitting thetorque to and from the flexible element, and means for securing saidclips to said hubs.

14. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a flexible element composedof a plurality of parallel flexible wire elements for transmittingtorque, a first hub, means securing said elements at uniform intervalsto said first hub, a second hub, means midway between said first meansfor securing said elements with respect to said second hub, and bindingmeans for said elements between said securing means to prevent lashingif a wire element should snap or break.

15. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a flexible element'composedof a plurality of parallel drawn wire flattened rings contacting eachother, clips gripping said wires at intervals of a quadrant for securingto coupling elements, and binding clips encircling the quadrant segmentsof the wires substantially midway between the fastening clips.

16. In a flexible coupling of the type set forth in claim 13, in whichthe clips coact with lateral oisets in the wire elements, having theirconcavities opposite each other.

17. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a clip for gripping aflexible element including a pair of superposed flattened wire rings,said clip having a center plate with a tongue extending betweencorresponding lateral offsets of the two wires, a clip straddling saidplate and cut away at the offsets to vclear the same and serving toclamp said wires beyond said olsets, andmeans securing said clip andsaid center plate together. 18. The combination set forth in claim 17inwhich the clip straddles the radiallyinnermost edge of the plate and inwhich a cover plate straddles the exterior periphery of 4fthe ring andin which a pair of rivets secure the cover clip, the inner clip and thecenter plate together to exert a gripping action upon the wires.

, 19; In a ilexible coupling, in combination, a

metal Wire Vflexible ring of small width relative metal ring of smallwidth relative to its diameter, clips gripping said ring at uniformintervals for securing the same in torque transmitting relation betweencoupling elements of greater rigidity, said clips having portionsintegral therewith extending adjacentthe wire and beyond the grippingportions to' limit the angle: of exure of the W1re.

20. In a exible coupling, in combination, a

clip for gripping a exible element including a y pair of superposedflattened wire rings, said clip having a center plate with a tongueextending between corresponding lateral offsets of the two wires, a clipstraddling said plate and cut away at the offsets to clear the same andserving to clamp said wires beyond said offsets, and means securing saidclip and said center plate together,

Vthe lateral edges of the clip being ared to afford connecting meanscomprising a clip element gripping the ringV and extendingradially'inwardly therefrom,y transverse pivotal fastening meansextending through the clip, Within the inner periphery of the ring andinto the associated coupling member and means on each said'clipconstructed and arranged vto coact with the associated .coupling memberto prevent rocking of said clip about the pivotal fastening means as anaxis. p 22.,In a flexible coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs, aflexible metal ring of diameter substantially equal to the exteriordiameter of the coupling and of relatively small width, connected atuniform intervals alternately with respect to the two hubs to transmitthe torque, each connecting means comprising a clip element 'grippingthe ring and each clip` having means at the lateral edges thereof forpermitted limited flexure of the ring toward or away from the hubs andtowardk or away from the axis.

23. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a flexible'metal ring ofsmall width relative to its diameter, clips gripping said ring atuniform intervals for securing the same to coupling elements of greater,rigidity, eachjsaid clip having integral portions at the sides thereofbeyond the gripping area to limit theangle of flexure of the adjacentring segment and each said clip offering clearance for the outer andinner peripheries of the ring to prevent friction at the edges.

24. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a metal wire flexible ringof small width relative to its diameter, clips gripping said ring aturuform intervals for attachment to coupling elements of greaterrigidity, and flexibletongues adjacent the gripping portions of saidclips extending for a short range along the lengths of the wire segmentsadjacent the clips for limitin the angle of iiexure of the segments.

25. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a metal wire flexible ringof small width relative to its diameter, spring metal clips grippingsaid ring at intervals of a quadrant for securing to coupling elementsof ,greater rigidity, each said clip having integral tongues extendingbeyond both jaws and the opposite Vends thereof, and along the length ofthe adjacent wire segments to resist a sharp angle of fiexure.

26. In a flexible coupling, in combination, 'a

to its diameter, spring metal clips gripping said ring at intervals of aquadrant for securing to coupling elements of greater rigidity, eachsaid clip having integral tongues extending beyond bothijaws and theopposite ends thereof, and along thelengthjof theadjacent wire segmentsVto resist a sharp angle-of exure,'said tongues being stiffer at theirbases than at Vtheir free ends.

'27, In a flexible coupling, in combination, a transmissionlelement'wincluding a plurality *of parallel bridging elementsyeachcomposed of a plurality of superposed stamped metal pieces having apluralityrof thicknessesof metal at their ends tapped for firmattachment of screws, and a band elementsecured to each of said bridgesbetween theends thereof and connecting the same. i Y

28. lA transmission member for -a flexible coupling comprising incombination,`a pair'of bridge elements each comprising a pair of U orchannelshaped pieces having their basesand sides overlapped, the sidesof one of said U-shaped pieces being reversely bent, thereby to form atriple thickness v`of metal at each end of each of the bridges, saidtriple thicknessesbeing' tapped for 1'7'5 firm connections of screws,and a relatively stii metal band extending about said bridges andsecured thereto, said bridges having struck-up portions coacting withthe edges of said band to prevent shifting of the latter with respect tothe bridges.

29. A transmission member for a flexible coupling comprising incombination, a pair of bridge elements each comprising a pair of U orchannelshaped pieces having their bases and sides overlapped, the sidesof one of said U-shaped pieces being reversely bent, thereby to form atriple thickness of metal at each end of each of the bridges, saidtriple thicknesses being tapped for rm connections of screws, and arelatively stiff metal band extending about said bridges and securedthereto, said bridges having struck-up portions coacting with4 the edgesof said band to prevent shifting of the latter with respect to thebridges, said split ends of the band overlapping one of the bridges andthe bridge portion having three pairs of struck-up elements snuglyengaging opposite edges of the band, the central pair of said struck-upmembers extending across the split ends of the band.

30. In a flexible coupling of the type comprising a pair of shaftengaging elements, a flexible driving member extending about the axis ofthe coupling and driving connections between said elements and saiddriving member, the connections for one of said elements beingintermediate those for the other; the driving member including aflexible metal piece, the entire surface of which is of homogeneouscharacter.

3l. In a flexible coupling of the type comprising a pair of shaftengaging elements, a flexible driving member extending about the axis ofthe coupling and driving connections between said elements and saiddriving member, the connections for one of said elements beingintermediate those for the other; the driving member including a flatflexible metal piece transverse to the coupling axis, said metal piececonsisting of a flattened and coiled round drawn wire, said drivingmember having substantial rigidity against distortion in the plane ofthe ring and substantial flexibility for distortion lengthwise of thecoupling.

32. In a flexible coupling of the type comprising a pair of shaftengaging elements, a iiexible driving member extending about the axis ofthe coupling and driving connections between said elements and saiddriving member, the connections for one of said elements beingintermediate those for the other; the driving member including a flatflexible metal piece transvese to the coupling axis, said metal piececonsisting of sheet metal stampings with treated edges to remove crackstherefrom, said driving member having substantial rigidity againstdistortion in the plane of the ring and substantialr exibility fordistortion lengthwise of the coupling.

33. In a flexible coupling of the type comprising a pair of shaftengaging elements, a flexible driving member extending about the axis ofthe coupling and driving connections between said elements and saiddriving member, the connections for one of said elements beingintermediate those for the other; the driving member including a flatflexible metal piece transverse to the coupling axis, said metal piececonsisting of a sheet metal stamping with filed edges, said drivingmember having substantial rigidity against distortion in the plane ofthe ring and substantial flexibility for distortion lengthwise of thecoupling.

34. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a flexible circular metaldriving element transverse to the coupling axis having an oifset recess,a clip formed of parallel plates gripping said element for eifecting a`connection to a coupling member of greater rigidity and having anextension into said recess, said recess preventing slippage of saidelement.

35. In a exible coupling, in combination, a circular element of iiatdrawn wire transverse to the coupling axis, said element having anoffset recess, a plate member with an extension enclosed in said recess,clamping means having jaws gripping the recess and member together andmeans securing the jaws together, said means extending transverselythrough said jaws and to one side of said wire.

36. In a flexible coupling,in combination, a series of flexible metalcircular elements transverse to the coupling axis, parallel plate clipsgripping said elements and serving to secure the same with respect tocoupling elements of greater rigidity, and metallic plates clamped bysaid clips extending beyond the gripping portions of said clips on bothsides of said elements to serve as guides for limiting the angle ofexure of said elements.

3'7. In a iiexible coupling, in combination, a iiexible ring formed of aplurality of parallel flat wire elements positioned side by side andtransverse to the coupling axis, parallel plate-like clips for grippingsaid wire elements at uniform intervals and holding them together, hubsat opposite sides of said ring, said elements being provided with offsetrecesses and said clips being provided with extensions in said recesses.

JOSEPH BIJ UR.

